Tuvalu: Beneath the Rising Tide

Category

Drone

Charity Supported

Surfers Against Sewage

Location

Tuvalu

Gear

DJI Mavic Pro 2

Description

Two girls play in an abandoned building in Tuvalu's capital, Funafuti. Land poor micro-states in the region are some of the most vulnerable to climate change impacts. This has driven many to flee their homelands, in fear of the potential environmental catastophes their countries are vulnerable to, and also in search of higher incomes through better job opportunities provided by other larger countries. It is estimated nearly 20% of Tuvalu's population have left and reside in other countries such as New Zealand and Australia. Young adults are the most likely to leave, with the older generation most likely to stay. A recent report by The Australian National University estimates by 2050, "47% of Tuvaluan adults (4,900 people)...will want to migrate but [will] be unable to do so", with limiting factors being financial and available places on migration programs to other countries. --- This image is part of my decade-long work documenting the diverse impacts of climate change on countries across the Asia Pacific region. Tuvalu is the latest chapter in this work which has included stories from countries including China, Mongolia, India, Indonesia and Sri Lanka.